"Mr Billson's appointment to the stand alone portfolio of small business is a welcome statement by the Prime Minister-elect about the importance of the sector to the national economy," Mr Malley said in a statement.

NSW Business Chamber chief executive Stephen Cartwright agreed, saying small business owners were right to question the commitment of the various Labor ministers who seemed to treat the particular appointment as a stepping stone to a higher calling.

Mr Billson has been small business spokesman since December 2009 in opposition.

Mr Malley also warned newly appointed Treasurer Joe Hockey and Finance Minister Senator Mathias Cormann of the challenging budget position and rising unemployment.

"A rush to surplus for the sake of it is not in the national interest and the business community will look to both Mr Hockey and (Senator) Cormann to provide the stability the country needs right now," Mr Malley said.

Mr Abbott stressed his government would bring the budget back into surplus as quickly as it responsibly can.

There is a "very serious deterioration" in the budgetary situation, although not markedly different from the Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Outlook (PEFO), he said.

He indicated the Mid-year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) may be delayed until January.

"The important thing is to get the right policies in place as quickly as we can, so that when MYEFO does come out, it does so in ways which reassure the Australian people that the economy is under stronger management than it might have been over the last few years," he said.

Business Council of Australia president Tony Shepherd approved of Mr Abbott's considered approach to government.

"Things that are rushed have a high likelihood of being wrong," he told Sky News.

But acting Labor leader and former treasurer Chris Bowen said Mr Abbott was avoiding scrutiny by waiting until everyone was on holiday in January.

Many of Canberra's press gallery will be away on holiday, he said.

"You will have your board shorts on ... there will not be the normal scrutiny you get in this building in other months of the year," he told reporters at Parliament House.

He said Mr Abbott had promised to reveal the state of the books in his first 100 days of government.

"Now we are told, it's not urgent enough, it can wait," Mr Bowen said.

This material is subject to copyright and any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.